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Medicine Management in Older People from Non‐English Speaking Backgrounds
Author(s) -
Blennerhassett Jenny,
Hilbers Julieanne
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2011.tb00063.x
Subject(s) - medicine , interpreter , focus group , action (physics) , nursing , health care , family medicine , medical education , physics , quantum mechanics , marketing , computer science , economics , business , programming language , economic growth
Aim To examine medicine management in older people from non‐English speaking backgrounds (NESB) after discharge from hospital. Method A literature review, followed by focus group discussions with hospital clinicians. Patients 70 years and over from Greek, Chinese, Russian and English speaking backgrounds were interviewed. Case histories were developed based on the interviews and a review of the patients' medical records. Data were clustered and themes extracted. Educational resources were produced for clinicians comprising an action guide and a composite audiovisual case study. These resources were used in further focus group discussions with hospital clinicians to determine current practice for identifying and managing medication management risks for patients from NESB. Results Major themes identified included: patients' lack of knowledge about medications and medication changes; interpreter services not used routinely; and inadequate communication between health professionals. There was little evidence of systematic, standardised processes for identifying people at risk of medicine mismanagement or for the implementation of actions to minimise risks. Conclusion There is a need for effective communication about medications, particularly when patients are transferred from hospital to the community. For people from NESB, this also includes the use of interpreters and translated educational material. A patient journey map and medicine management action guide provides a framework for clinicians to optimise safe medicine management and continuity of care.